Be kind to someone

"Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see."

BE KIND TO SOMEONE

"Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see."

Deacon John Ruscheinsky

Ahab was an evil king and he was exceeded in his bad doings by his pagan wife, Jezebel. In fact, the name "Jezebel" has entered our language to refer to a wicked or bold woman. Ahab, not satisfied with all he possessed as king, wanted the vineyard, which belonged to Naboth. When Naboth, fully within his rights, refused to sell, Ahab apparently was willing to back off. But not Jezebel. She perpetrated the terrible murder of Naboth and told her husband that he could take the vineyard without even paying for it.

People like Ahab and Jezebel arouse our wrath. When we hear in the news about terrible crimes, such as the hideous rape and murder of a little child, or the drug dealers that we hear about everyday, we might even wish that God would follow the old way of an eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth. Tomorrow's reading will show us how God relented in the punishment due Ahab because he repented. There is a temptation for us not to go along with that kind of mercy. But Jesus came to reveal that God does not will the death of the sinner but that he repented and will be saved. "I only wish our media would feel that way."

Today in the Gospel when Jesus spoke about God's law, He did something no one had done before. He gave a new standard based not just on the requirements of righteousness (i.e giving each what is due), but based on the law of grace and love. Tough stuff to think about! It is not that God fails to give justice. He does, but His sense of justice is entirely different from our world.

Points to Pray and Ponder: Mark Twain made a remark that is fitting for today's reflection. "Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see."

May we pray that those who do bad things will repent and return to the Lord our Savior!!!